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Friday, November 20, 2009

I was watching the show "The View" today. The panel interviewed two companies started by teen and tweens who simply had an craft idea turned them into million dollar businesses! These girls were inspiring and lucky have such supportive parents. Alot of parents were have been weary and want to protect their children from the risk and potential disappointment of running a business.

For those who have creative but also business minded children, please encourage them. I personally know the feeling when people doubt your ideas and skills. I had my idea for selling origami and crafts when I was about 14. A pestimistic classmate who looked down on everyone told me, "Cindy, no one's going to buy them." The mistake here was that I believed her! Because of that remark, I shelved the idea for over 15 years. After stumbling upon online handmade marketplaces such as Etsy, Artfire, eBay, Zibbet etc, I realized that there is a huge market for handmade items including origami. Initially, I felt I really missed the mark, but then again, you can't live your life in regret.

The more endearing of the two were the teen and tween owners Maddie and Margo Bradshaw. Maddie wanted to have unique magnets for her locker. Her friends liked them so much she made some for them too. And their business grew from there.

It is a bra that you get with some non-toxic markers and you can doodle on it. The owner, Rachel Segal and her friends started to draw on their new bras and had so much fun doing it. With her parents support, started marketing this idea.

Not a great fan of the product but you must admire her business sense.

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About Me

Cindy Y. Ho was born and raised on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada . During her childhood to early adulthood she enjoyed folding origami and honed her folding skills. As time past, she developed past the stage of the traditional crane to complex models such as modular models, flowers, butterflies and dragons that she enjoyed giving away as gifts. However, as she entered the post secondary stage of her educational life, her focus shifted from her hobby to studying and preparing herself for the workforce. Her origami papers and books soon collected dust.

After graduating with honours from British Columbia's Institute of Technology (BCIT) in 1999, she excelled as a Buyer and Materials Planner in the demanding industry of electronics contract manufacturing. In 2006, she and her husband were blessed with their first child. A few months into her maternity leave, she found her dusty papers and books and revived her long lost passion - origami. After reminiscing her friend's wonderment when they received an origami gift, she felt that other people would enjoy them as well. Her entrepreneurial spirit was stirred and taught herself to build a simple website and started an online store, West Coast Origami devoted to origami gifts and crafts. After returning to the workforce, Cindy continued to practice origami and experimented with new papers. She proudly showcased her work on flickr and Facebook.

In 2009, her family were blessed with their second child. During her maternity leave, Cindy upgraded her web design skills and upgraded her online store. She expanded West Coast Origami with Etsy , an online marketplace devoted to handmade products.